MAKE SURE YOU KNOW WHERE THE GIG IS (THIS AVOIDS GOING SOMEWHERE ELSE)

MAKE SURE YOU ALL KNOW WHAT YOU ARE BEING PAID (THIS AVOIDS BRUISING)

MAKE SURE YOU GEAR WORKS IN ADVANCE (THIS AVOIDS MAKING YOU LOOK LIKE A WALLY)

ENSURE THAT YOU HAVE ENOUGH MAINS CABLE AND SOCKETS (THIS AVOIDS SILENCE)

REMEMBER TO CONFIRM THE GIG, ASSUME NOTHING AND HAVE AN ESTABLISHED BAND CONTACT WHO IS RESPONSIBLE FOR INFORMING THE REST OF THE BAND WHAT IS GOING ON.

REMEMBER THAT YOUR LISTENING AUDIENCE ARE THERE TO BE ENTERTAINED, NOT TO WATCH THE BAND BEING SOUNCHECKED.

WHEN YOU SET UP ON STAGE TRY AND POSITION YOUR INSRUMENTS AND AMPS SO THAT YOU AND THE BAND CAN HEAR EACH OTHER PLAYING.

TRY NOT TO POINT YOUR AMPS AT THE BACK OF YOUR KNEES. KNEES CANNOT HEAR MUCH AND THE AUDIENCE WILL HEAR TOO MUCH. EITHER ANGLE THEM UPWARDS, OR RAISE THEM UP TOWARDS THOSE EAR-THINGS THAT STICK OUT OF YOUR HEAD AND ACT AS RECEPTICLES FOR SOUND.

DO NOT POINT MICROPHONES AT THE PA MONITORS

(MICROPHONES CAN HEAR PERFECTLY WELL WITH OUT IT, UNLIKE YOU!)

TRY TO CREATE A MIX ON STAGE BEFORE YOU ARE EVEN PLAYING THROUGH THE PA.

(THIS MEANS TRYING TO SOUND LIKE A BAND)

EVEN IF YOUR GUITAR DOESN'T SOUND THE WAY YOU MOST LIKE IT WHEN IT ISN'T ON NUMBER 11, THE BAND AS A WHOLE WILL PROBABLY SOUND FAR MORE "TOGETHTER".

REMEMBER THE BAND?

THEY ARE THE PEOPLE YOU ARE SUPPOSED TO BE PLAYING

AT SOUND CHECK SHUT UP. WATCH AND LISTEN TO THE SOUND MAN AND DO WHAT HE ASKS. HE'S THE MAN WHO DOES THE SOUND

BE NICE TO PEOPLE AND THEY WILL BE NICE BACK

(AS A RULE)

BE NICE TO THE LANDLORD EVEN IF HE ISN'T NICE BACK!

IF YOU FOLLOW THESE GUIDE LINES PEOPLE STAND A CHANCE OF HEARING WHAT YOU SOUND LIKE.